Conveyer roll



Patented Jan. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT? OFFICE ARTHUR P. STRONG, OF MISHAW AKA, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO DODGE MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE CONVEYER ROLL Application filed December 29, 1924. Serial No. 758,495.

This invention relates to conveyer rolls, and among other objects aims to improve the construction of conveyer rolls both from the 'manufacturing and service standpoints, so that a roll economical to manufacture may satisfactorily meet the present day demands for heavy service at relatively high speeds.

The invention may be understood by ref erence to one illustrative embodiment shown in'the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a conveyer roll and its supporting devices, this being one of the rolls of a so-called troughing support for a conveyer belt. A troughing support consists of a number of rolls or idlers arranged end to end on relatively inclined axes. In this instance the ends of other rolls, inclined to the one shown, are indicated in Fig. 1 by the dotted lines, and the ends of the axles for said other rolls are shown adjacent the ends of the axle of the roll represented in section.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the roll: and Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the manner in which the roll axle is carried by its sup ort.

It is to e understood that the illustrative form shown in the drawings is simply a pre- 0 ferred embodiment of the invention: and 3 specific form, the described details of structure and organization are merely exemplary. Referring especially to Fig. 1, the roll shown comprises generally an outer cylindrical shell 5, a pair of end members 6 closing the ends of the shell and a tube 7 coaxial with the shell and interposed between the two end members. Formed on each end member is a hub 8 extending axially of the roll and providing a housing for a bearing 9 which in turn surrounds the roll axle 10. To support-the roll so as to facilitate removal thereof, the ends of the axle project beyond the ends of the roll and rest on seats provided at the upper ends of upright brackets 11 rigidly supported upon a suitable conveyer decking (not shown).

Conveyor rolls in conveyor belt supporting installations vary in length according to 1 the installation; and it was heretofore necesthat in the following explanation of that maintaining said alinement.

sary either to manufacture them to order in the special length desired, or else to maintain a large stock of rolls of the various lengths which the manufacturer desired to sell. According to the present invention, the roll end members ma' bestandardized and may be assembled w1th the bearings to form units ready for uniting to a shell out to the desired length from suitable tubing. It has been found that for. various reasons commercial seamless steel boiler tubing is particularly well adapted to form the outer shells of conveyer rolls; such a tube may be quickly cut to anylength desired and assembled expe ditiously with two of the end units previously described. Commercial boiler tubing of a smaller diameter may also be employed as the spacing means 7 for the end members, particularly as such a tube will form with said members a lubricant reservoir or chamber within the roll; of relatively large capacity and capable of maintaining the bearings well lubricated for months of service.

In the practicable embodiment of the invention shown, the shell 5 and spacing tube 7 are sections of tubing cut.to the proper length, while the end members 6 are of cast iron with finished peripheries of a diameter slightly larger than the interior diameter of the outer shell. The interior surfaces of the hubs of such end members are likewise finished accurately to receive the bearings 9, herein tapered roller bearings; andito permit adjustment of such bearings, screw threads 13 may be provided in one or both the hubs with which is engaged a bearingadjusting nut or nuts 14. Shoulders 15 on the roll axle serve as abutments for the bearmgs.

In assembling theroll, the end members may be first accurately alined and then simultaneously -forced by a hydraulic press within the opposite ends of the shell, while In. this rocedure, the outer shell stretches as muc as may be necessary to receive the end members, which during their approach abut the ends of the inner tube 7, which may buckle more or less or curl at the ends under, the pressure. Preferably, the inner ends of the hubs have each an annular groove or rabbet 16 to receive the end of the tube 7. Thus the tube is sealed by the hubs to provide a grease-tight lubricant chamber within the roll. After the parts have been assembled as described, the end members, with the tube 7 compressed between them, may be secured against movement out of the shell by Welds 17 .or equivalent mechanical locking means.

To prevent movement of the roll other than rotation, its axle interlocks with the brackets on which it rests, as clearly shown. Each bracket provides two oppositely inclined surfaces 18 (Fig. 3), which together provide a seat for that end of the axle, and two upright, parallel fins or keys 19 extending above said'inclined surfaces and fitting in complementary axle notches or grooves 20. Thus each roll is removablezfrom its support by merely lifting it, yet its axle can- 'not rattle or otherwise move when the roll is in service.

To look the bearing-adjusting nut or nuts 14 in position, a cotter pin 21 maybe passed through an annular flange 22' provided on each nut, so that one end of the pin projects between any two of an annular series of lugs 23 formed integrally. with the end members, Fig. 2. The adjusting nuts conveniently seal the lubricant chamber bymeans of grooves 24 provided in the annular surface adjacent the axle.

The described roll is individually lubricated by means of a conduit 25 secured to the axle between the supported end and the grease seal and extending at an angle to the axle so as to clear the edges of the rolls. Such a conduit-is thus removable with the roll. At the outer end of the conduit 25 there is shown a grease gun nipple 26 in a position accessible to the operator, while the inner end of the conduit is connected with the interior of the lubricant chamber by two axle bores 27 and 28, shown in dotted lines 7 in Fig. 1.

Obviously the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly since they may be employed advantageously in various combinations and sub-combinations as defined in the claims.

In this instance a roll construction em-- bodying my invention is shown assembled in a troughing support characterized by rolls or idlers equipped with individual lubri eating systems and individually removably 'ect of his pending application Serial No.

58,508 filed December 29, 1924.

What is claimed is v 1. A conveyer-roll comprising, in combination, a cylindrical shell made from a section of commercial seamless steel boiler tubing; castings closing the ends of said shell, said castings having inner hubs extending axially for part of the length of the roll; spacing means for said end members provided by a section of a seamless steel tube abutted at its ends against the inner faces of the end members; and means to prevent the shell and castings from separating.

2. A-conveyer roll comprising, in combination, a cylindrical shell made from a section of commercial seamless steel boiler tubing; castings closing the ends of said shell, said castings having inner hubs extending axially for part of the length of the roll; spacing means for said end members provided by a section of a seamless steeltube abutted at its ends against the inner faces of the end members; the castings initially of a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the outer shell, so that the shell is stretched by assembly-of the end members therein andmeans to preyent the shell and castings from separating.

3. A conveyer roll comprising, in combination, a cylindrical shell; members closing the ends thereof; means within the shell for spacing said members apart; and means to prevent separation of the end members and shell.

4. A conveyer roll comprising, in combination, a cylindrical shell;"' separate members closing the ends thereof; an axle for the roll; means preventing movement of said end members out of the shell; and a tube coaxial with the cylindrical shell and abutted between the end members to hold them spaced apart and to. provide aJubricant chamber within the roll.

5. A conveyer roll comprising, in combination, a cylindrical shell; members closing the ends of the shell and providing bearing housings or hubs; a separate tube coaxial with the shell and spacing said end members apart; an axle for the roll extending through said tube; said tube providing a lubricant chamber within the roll; bearings within the hubs and surrounding the axle; and means to.

conduct lubricant into said chamber.

6. A conveyer roll comprising, in combination, a cylindrical shell; members closing the ends of the shell and providing bearing housings or hubs; a separate tube coaxial with the shell, spacing said end members apart and providing a lubricant chamber; an axle passed through the roll from end to end and extending through said tube; bearings within the hubs and surrounding the axle; and means for adjusting and holding in place the bearings, said means closing the lubricant chamber.

7. A conveyer roll body comprising, in

combination, an outer substantially cylindrical shell; :1 pair of members fitted within the shell; a tube interposed between the end members and under substantial longitudinal compressive stress; and means to prevent movement of the end members under the reaction of said stress.

8. A conveyer roll body comprising, in combination, an outer substantially cylindrical shell; a pair of members having circular peripheries of diameter initially somewhat larger than the interior diameter of the shell and press-fitted within the shell; a spacing member interposed between the end members and under substantial longitudinal compressive stress due to said press-fitting of the end members; and welds ireventing outward movement of the end mem ers under the reaction of said stress.

In testimony whereof, I have v signed my name to this specification.

ARTHUR P. STRONG. 

